Golfer&#39;s training device



Dec. 10, 1968 A. M. BOLDT 3,415,523

GOLFER S TRAINING DEVICE Filed Aug. 17, 1966 4 sheets-sl'aem'- l a0 /4 s 4 AV 26 INVENTOR.

A'ZW/VM 5015/ ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 10, 1968 A. M. BOLDT 3,415,523

GOLFEJRS TRAINING DEVICE Filed Aug. 17, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I AL V/Al/W. 50407 BY W/ ATTORNEY 5.

Dec. 10, 1968 A. M. BOLDT 3,415,523

GOLFER S TRAINING DEVICE Filed Aug. 17, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 737" 2a 6 y Q7Z6 zi/iff Z86 Z82 ,f jgz 34 335 Z82 HQ. /5

INVENTOR. A1 1 M. 504 0r ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 10, 1968 A. M. BOLDT GOLFER'S TRAINING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 17, 1966 INVENTOR. M 501 07' A x i G (1 1 I31! 0 0 6 20 W P x x ww 3 8 x ATTORNEYS- United States Patent 3,415,523 GULFERS ZlRAlNllNG DEVEEE Alvin M. llloldt, lid? High fit, Eugene, Greg. avast Filed Aug. 17, 1956, tier. Ne. Will-d lid Claims. (Cl. 273-l86l This invention relates to golf training devices of the type in which a neophyte golfer swings a golf club that is guided through a predetermined arc in order to demonstrate the correct swing.

A study of excellent golfers has indicated that, with the except of a few individuals having abvious physical abnormalities, such as being greatly overweight, greatly underweight or having deformed limbs, the golf swing of these individuals is substantially the same. This is not to say that all excellent golfers have identical swings since it is well known that taller individuals tend to have a more upright swing whereas shorter individuals tend to have what is termed a flatter swing, these terms indicating the angular relationship between the locus of clubhcad movement and the ground. in addition to these variances, all golfers tend to have minor variations in swing, for example, some golfers tend to swing more from the inside out than do other golfers and some golfers have a fuller backswing than others.

The golf training devices of the prior art seem to be categorized into two groups, the first constraining clubhead movement to a substantially circular path in which the distance from the golf club to the trainnc apparatus may be varied at the will of the student While the second group constrains the golf club in an unalterable path in which the training device controllably varies tie distance from the club to the training device. it. has been found that this first group of prior art devices allows undesirable movement of the club toward the training device by the neophyte golfer, while the second group of prior art devices does not take into account any difference in inside out movements of the clubhead during the downward travel thereof. It has been found that by resiliently mounting the swing guide mechanism, which controls the movement of the golf club toward and away from a support, the disadvantages of both groups of prior art devices may be obviated while combining the most advantageous features of each.

It is accordingly an object of the instant invention to provide a golf training device in which a golf club is substantially constrained for movement in a predetermined arcuate non-circular path while allowing the student to make slight variations in accordance with his own personal idiosyncrasies.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a golfers training device in which a swing guide mechanism is resiliently mounted on a support and operatively connected to a golf club for allowing a student golfer to swing the golf club in accordance with the configuration of the swing guide mechanism and at the same time allow for slight variations in the students swing.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a golf swing training device in which a resistance force is imparted there-against during the downswing to demonstrate to the student that the arms and wrists exert a certain amount of force during this portion of the swing in order to acquire sufiicient distance from the individuals woods and long irons.

till another object of the instant invention is to provide a golfers training device in which the characteristic loop at the top of the backswing is automatically achieved by the arrangement of the controlling mechanisms of the 1nstant invention.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction and operation, all as will be morefully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FLEGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one form of golfers trainin device of the instant invention illustrating a student golfer about to swing a golf club;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic view illustrating separately the path of travel of the mint of contact between the training device of the instant invention and the golf club, "which describes a closed loop, and the travel of the individuals hands during the baclcswing;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of the student supportng platform of FlGURE i tarien substantially along line 3-3 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the swing guide mechanism and golf club holder made in accordance with the principles of the instant invention;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the golf club holder of FIGURE 4 as seen from along line E 5 viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a partial top plan view of the swing guide mechanism of FEGURE 4 illustrating the adjusting means by which variations in clubhead travel from the inside out may be changed to meet the individual needs of the golfing student;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged elevatioual view of the upper portion of the mounting bracket of FXGURE 4 taken substantially along line '7-] thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the swing guide mechanism of FiGURE 4 taken substantially along line S8 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows and illustrating the mechanism which requires the student to exercise the wrists and arms on the downswing;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the mounting mechanism and golf club holder which may be used with the swing guide mechanism of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view of the golf club holder of FIGURE 9 as may be seen from along line ltlltl thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view of the mounting mechanism of FIGURE 9;

. FIGURE 12 is a front elevational View of another form of swing guide mechanism made in accordance with the principles of the instant invention;

FIGURE 13 is a longitudinal vertical-cross-sectional view of the swing guide mechanism of FIGURE 12 taken substantially along line lit-13 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the swing guide mechanism of FIGURE 13 taken substantially along line 14-14 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows illustrating the means by which the hairpin loop at the top of the backswing is achieved;

FIGURE is a partial cross-sectional view of the swing guide mechanism of FIGURE 14 taken substantially along line 15-15 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 16 is a side elevational view of another form of swing guide mechanism made in accordance with the principles of the instant invention;

FIGURE 17 is a front elevational view of the swing guide mechanism of FIGURE 16;

FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of the mounting bracket of the swing guide mechanism of FiGURE 16 as may be seen from along line 1318 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FEGURE 19 is a rear elevational view of the uppermost portion of the swing guide mechanism of FIGURE 16 as may be seen from along line 19-19 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FlGUl-(E 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the swing guide mechanism of FlGURE 16 taken substantially along line flu-2t? thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, certain portions being broken away for clarity of illustration;

FEGURE 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the swing guide mechanism of FIGURE 16 as may be seen from along line 21 21 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FiGURE 22 is a schematic electrical circuit utilized with the embodiment of FIGURES 16 to 21 inclusive.

General construction and operation Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters designate like elements throughout the several views thereof, there is indicated generally at it) a golfers training device made in accordance with the principles of the instant invention having as its major components a base shown generally at 12 on which is ositioned a fulcrumed platform denominated generally at 14 on which a golfer G is standing, a support shown generally at 16 on which is mounted a head constraining device designated generally at 18, a swing guide mechanism illustrated generally at 2d resiliently m unted on support 16 and a golf club holder shown generally at 22 connecting guide mechanism 2% with a golf club 24. When the golfer starts to swing, guide mechanism 2h will restrain the path of movement of golf club 2-4 in a predetermined manner with platform 1 acting to remind the golfer to shift his weight to the right leg during the backswing and to the left leg during the downswing. Head constraining device 18 allows the golfers head to rotate slightly and at the same time preclude substantial upward movement thereof.

Base, support and head constraining mechanism Base 12 includes a substantially planar foundation Z6 recessed at 28 to receive platform 14 which includes a substantially planar plate 3t supported on a fulcrum 32 in recess 2.8. The periphery of plate 3% is resiliently supported by a plurality of U-shaped springs 34 while retention brackets 35 prevent plate 3% from excessive upward movement. A. pair of electrical contacts 36, 38 are placed on opposite sides of fulcrum 32 in aligned relation such that if the individuals weight is not shifted properly during the backswing and downswing, an electrical circuit will be energized to sound a buzzer reminding the student that his weight has not shifted properly, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Support 16 includes a generally upstanding arm ill adjustably secured to foundation 26 by a conventional pivotal adjustment shown generally at 42 for adjusting and locking the angular relationship of arm it) to foundation 26. The upper end of arm aid is angled toward the golfers position and carries another conventional pivotal adjusting means shown generally at 44 adjustably securing head constraining device 18 to support 16.

Constraining device lltl includes a first segment 46 secured by adjusting means in an appropriate relation with respect to support 16, a second segment 4-8 connected with first segment 46 by a suitable adjustment locking device shown generally at 5d and a third segment 5?; adjustably connected by a conventional adjustable loclrin g means shown generally at 54 in a downwardly angled direction with respect to second segment 48. A relatively rigid cap 56 is received on the head of the golfer is connected to the free end of third segment by a relatively s fi spring 53 which allows rotary movement of the individuals head but precludes substantial upward movement thereof.

Referring now to the FEGURE 4, a mounting plate 69 is adjustably secured to the free end of support arm by an integral depending ear d2 cooperating with an car 64 formed on the end of support arm 4i) with a suitable releasable fastener 66, such as a nut and bolt, effecting an adjustable connection between mounting plate 69 and support arm 49. As will be more fully explained hereinafter, golf club 24 will be moved in an arcuate path about an axis (FIGURE 1) extending throu h swing guide mechanism Depending upon the height of the neophyte golfer, axis 68 will be adjusted such that an imaginary extension thereof intersects the golfer at about the base of the neck. Because of the adjustable nature of mounting plate 69 with respect to arm 44), it will be apparent that this adjustment may be readily made.

Swing guide mechanism of FIGURES 4 m8 Resiliently supporting swing guide mechanism Ztl is a helical spring 76 having its axis '72 inclined slightly with respect to a vertical plane 4 which illustrates the flight path of the golf ball. it will be apparent that swing guide mechanism it may oscillate slightly about axis 72 to allow for m 161 variations in the swing of the individual. Swing guide mechanism 2%? includes a housing 76 havmg a pair of spaced apart depending plates "78 secured in any conventional manner to the upper end of helical sprin 7@ completing the securement of guide mechanism 2%} to support 16. A slidable and rotatable shaft 36 carries a boss 82 adjacent the forward end thereof with a spiral spring 84 abutting boss 82, and housing 76 to bias shaft ill toward the golfers position with a camrning mechanism shown generally at 86 being positioned on the rear end of shaft 8% for controlling the movement of the golfers hand toward and away from vertical plane '74. Camming mechanism 86 includes a rearwardly disposed boss 83 providing securement between shaft 89 and an L-shaped arm 90 carrying a roller hit for rotation about a stub axle Roller 92 engages a camrning plate 96 pivotally mounted on housing 76 by a hinge 98. Carnming plate as is angularly mounted about hinge 93 by an adjusting means shown generally at 190. Adjusting means 100 includes an ear 102 affixed to the upper end of plate 96 pivotally connected to a rod lti t which is in turn pivotally connected to an ear 156 on a pivotal handle 19S. Handle 108 is pivotally mounted by an ear 114D and a pivot pin 112 on the upper surface of housing 76. As shown best in FIG- URE 6, a transversely extendinfg pin 114 registers with one of a plurality of angle slots 116 formed in an arcuate bar 113 secured to housing 76. it will be seen that the pivotal movement of handle 1% will position pin 114 in a selected slot 116, thereby establishing the angle of cumming surface 96 with respect to shaft 80. it will be apparent that the bnckswing of golf club 24 will rotate shaft 8t) in the direction shown by the arrow in FIGURE 4 with roller 92 engaging cam plate 96 under the influence of spring 84 to reciprocate shaft 89 toward the golfer to produce a locus 120 of desired shape described by a trace of the connection between golf club holder 22 and golf club 24 during the backswing.

Cooperating with cammiug mechanism is a braking mechanism shown generally at 122 compelling the golfer to exert increased forces through the wrists and arms during the downswing to correspond to the forces generated during the power segment of tse swing. Braking mechanism 122 includes a boss 32d fixed on shaft 80 carrying a radially extending braking lever 12:: which comes into contact with a knob 128 on the rearward end of a pivotally mounted arm shown geenrally at 130. As may be seen best in FIGURE 8, arm 130 includes a first segment 13f pivotally mounted on a plate 132 by a pivot pin 134. Arm 1% is biased to the central position illustrated by a pair of springs 136 that are connected to depending plates 78 by a pair of angled brackets I33 and a pair of connectors shown generally at 140. Arm 139 also includes a second segment 142 hingedly mounted on a first segment 131 by a one-way hinge 144 allowing pivotal movement of second segment 142 in the direction indicated by the arrow. A spring 145 connects second segment 142 to depending wall 78 to maintain first and second segments 131, 2.42 in a normally aligned relation.

In describing the operation of braking mechanism 122, it should be pointed out that braking lever 126 lags golf club holder 22 on the backswing and leads club holder 22 on the downswing. As shown in FIGURE 4, braking lever 126 extends to the left when club holder 22; is in the ball'addressing position shown. As the student swings club holder 22 through the backswing, braking lever 12!? will contact knob 128 of arm 130 about half way through the backswing. As further backswing is created, lever 126 pivots second segment 14.2; in a direc tion shown by the arrow in FIGURE 8 against the biasing forces of spring 146.

Slightly before the baclzswing is completed, braking lever 1% will clear knob 1Z3 allowing second segment 142 to be pivoted by the forces of spring 146 into the aligned position shown in FIGURE 8. During the first part of the downswing, braking lever 126 is free to move without engagement with 13%. At a point slightly before half of the downswing is completed, braking lever 126 contacts arm 139 as shown in FIGURE 8 with additional force being mode to rotate arm 130 against the forces of springs 136. This corresponds to the power segment of the golf swing and requires the student to exert maximum amount of force on the golf club corrcsopnding to the point of time in the swing that maximum exertion is needed. Shortly after golf club 2d passes the ball-addressing position, braking lever 126 is freed from contact arm 136 because of the slidable movement of shaft St to which lever 126 is secured. Accordingly, the student no longer has to swing golf club 24 against the forces of springs 136 thus allowing free club movement.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and '7, golf club holder 22 is connected to an upwardly extending threaded shank 159 of shaft 86 by a mount shown generally at 148. A mounting plate 152 is received on shank 154) with a nut 1% making the engagement secure. As seen best in FIG- URE 7, a pair of horizontally spaced apart guides 156 are secured to plate 152 and slidingly receive a pair of short rods 158 whic are fixed in parallel relation by a pair of cross-beams 1%, 16.2. Upper crossbeam 160 is pivotally connected by an arm 164 to an arcuate brace 166, one end of which is pivotally mounted on plate 152 by a pin 168. The other end of arcuate brace 166 carries a selector bar 170 having an enlarged knob 1'72 on the outer end thereof (FIGURE 4) and a pin 174- of a size to be received in one of apertures 176. Since apertures 176 are spaced on an are about pivot pin 163, it will be seen that pin 174 may be received in any one of them to move crossbeam 16h toward and away from the upper edge of mounting plate 152 for varying the angle of golf club 24- with respect to the horizontal to accommodate players of different physical characteristics.

Crossbeam' 162 carries a pair of curved rods 178 which converge toward golf club 24 and are fixedly secured to a sleeve 13d as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4. As seen best in FIGURES 4 and 5, sleeve 180 forms a central passageway 18?. slidably receiving a rod 184 having a boss 186, 188 at each end thereof. A pair of helical springs 31%, 192 centrally space rod 184 in sleeve 180 and allow a slight amount of movement of golf club 24 independent of elongate rods so that training device Ill may be utilized with individuals of varying physical characteristics.

A golf club grasping means shown generally at 194 includes an extension 196 of rod 184 which extends through an inverted U-shaped retaining bracket 19% for attachment with a transverse pin 200. Pin 200 is parallel with the shaft of golf club 24 and pivotally receives a sleeve 29?. on each end thereof secured together by a pair of inwardly biased arms 2% carrying resilient inserts 296 for grasping golf club 24. A plurality of adjusting thumbscrews 205 interconnect arms 2% for selectively tightening the securement between holder 22 and golf club 24-. It will be apparent that sleeves 2 82 may rotate about pin 200 but are constrained to limited movement by the depending arms of restraining bracket 198. Accordingly, a slight degree of club rotation is allowed to further enhance the flexibility of the training device of he instant invention.

For purposes of further illustration, a point 2th; on grasping means 194 and the head of club 24 will be utilized to show the golf swing pattern produced by guide mechanism During the swing of golf club 2- 3, club 24 and shaft 8b are rotated together with roller 92 cooperating with cam surface as for controllably varying the distance between club holder T148 and housing '76. At a point in the backswing, designated at in FIGURE 1, roller 92 will begin substantial upward movement along surface as allowing spiral spring to move shaft fill forwardly. Accordingly, locus of point 2%, designated at 120, departs from a planar path at point 234 thereby controllably creating a golf swing more nearly approaching that of an excellent golfer.

Golf club holder of FIGURES 9 to 11 Referring now to FIGURES 9 to ll, another form of golf club holder is shown generally at 218 comprised of a mount shown generally at 22% and a club grasping means shown generally at 222. Mount 2% is connected to slidable and rotatable shaft till by an upturned threaded shank 224 with a helical spring 226, instead of spiral spring fi l illustrated in FIGURE 4, acting to bias mount forwar sly during the backswing. Mount 22ft includes a plate 228 received on shank between a pair of lock nuts 239, 2:32. A pair of elongate rods 23 i, 236 are affixed to plate by a plurality of U-shaped fasteners 238i.

Rods 23d, 2% are preferably bowed away from the individual intermediate the ends thereof such that when golf club 24 is swung to the top of the backswing, rods 23 i, 236 will readily clear the individuals head. As seen most clearly by comparing FIGURES 9 to 11, it will be seen that rods 23 i, 236 are curved such that they start out in a substantially horizontally aligned relation as shown in FIGURES 9 and 11 and terminate in a connecting block 24%) in a substantially vertical relation. Connecting block 240 includes an aperture 242 receiving a threaded shank 244 secured therein by a pair of nuts 2% with shank 2.4-4 carrying a golf club receiving connection on the end thereof provided with a central resilient insert 256 for grasping golf club 24. It. will be seen that golf club 24 is allowed some rotary movement about its axis to impart the feeling of reality to training device id. Since the operation of golf club holder 2-18 is substantially the same as the operation of club holder 22, except that mount 220 does not provide for the reciprocable adjustment of the rods as does mount 148 for rods 178, further explanation is deemed unnecessary.

Swing guide mechanism of FIG URE'S 12 to 15 Referring now to FIGURES 12 to 15 inclusive, there is indicated generally at 278 another form of swing guide mechanism secured to support arm 4d through helical spring 7i} and mounting plate 6% as in the embodiment of FIGURES 4 to 8 inclusive. Guide mechanism 278 includes a cylindrical casing 2% closed at one end by a plate 282 affixed to the top of helical spring by an L-shaped brace 284. As may be seen best in PlGURE 13, a shaft is rotatably mounted by a bearing shown generally at such that the forward end of shaft 286 extends through three concentric apertures 292, 294, 2% of increasing size. Bearing 23% includes a circumferential support 2925 affixed to the upstanding leg of brace and a sleeve secured to shaft 286 and spaced from support by a plurality of ballbearings SliZ.

Affured to the forward end of shaft is a sleeve 3% slidably receiving a rod 3% which interconnects the ends of a U-shaped bracket 3%. Sleeve is centrally spaced with respect to bracket 3533 by a compression spring Sid surrounding rod 3% and abutting one leg of bracket The bight of bracket 3% carries an ear 312 on which is pivotally mounted an arm 31 i carrying on outwardly extending roller 3116 engaging a slot 318 in casing 235) with slot 318 describing the major portion of an ellipse.

As may be seen in FIGURES 12 and 13, a club holder shown generally at 32d is afiixed to arm 31% by a plate 322 which is secured therebetween by a pair of threaded bolts 324 and wing nuts 326. A pair of elongate rods are secured to plate 32!) in any conventional manner and extend backwardly toward the golfers position carrying a golf club grasping mechanism (not shown) of the type previously shown. Since slot 318 is elliptical in nature, it will be seen that the movement of roller 316 therethrough will act to space club holder 52ft toward and away from casing 28ft: in much the same manner that the co operating cams and rollers of the previous embodiment acted to space the club holder from the swing guide mechanism. it is apparent that the movement of club holder 329 with respect to casing 28% is in the nature of a pivotal motion rather than a single simple longitudinal movement as shown in the previous embodiment.

This has proved to be quite advantageous since it allows the shortening of the radius of curvature on the downswing to create the hairpin loop shown in FlGURE 2. To create this effect, an arcuate guide slot shown generally at 330 is formed in plate 232 and receives a roller 332 rotatably mounted on one of the arms of U-shaped bracket 388. As the golfer makes the backswing, roller 332 moves in the direction of the arrow shown in Fl-G- URE 14 effecting an elongation of the radius of rotation by moving U-shaped bracket S and arm 314 in a lateral direction. When roller 332 passes over the apex 333 of slot 3%, it passes over a pivotal mounting shown generally at 33 3 on which is aflixed a diverting cam 336. When the downswing starts, roller 332 passes on the other side of pivotal connection 33 and moves diverting earn 336 outwardly such that U-shaped bracket 3&8 is moved toward shaft 2% thereby creating the closed loop at the top of the backswing shown in FIGURE 2.

When roller 33?; clears diverting cam 3336, cam 336 will be biased into the position shown in FIGURE 14 with roller 332 continuing its movement through guide slot 33%. Because of the energy necessary to bias diverting cam 336 out of the path of roller 332 during the backswing, it will be seen that cam 3% acts much like braking means 122 of the previous embodiment to increase the force exerted by the student during the downswing.

Pivotal connection 334 includes a shaft 338 rotatably received in a passageway 34b in closure wall 282 with the forward end of shaft 333 being secured to cam 336. The rearward end of shaft 338 forms a slot 342 in which is positioned one end of a spring 344-, the other end of which is affixed to the rear of wall 232. It will be apparent that spring 33 acts to bias cam 336 toward the position shown in FIGURE 14 and also accomplishes the function of braking the downward swing to increase the exertion supplied by the golfer.

When utilizing swing guide mechanism on training device ll it will be apparent that the start of the backswing will cause roller 316 to position club holder 32% angularly away from support while guide slot 339 and roller 332 cooperate to vary the radius of rotation. Both of these displacements increase in magnitude until the top of the backswing is reached, at which time roller 332 passes over pivotal connection to decrease the radius of rotation preparatory to downswing move ment.

For purposes of further illustration, point at the junction of golf club and club holder 22 will be utilized to show the change of are produced by the 111011; merit of club 24 about a point 335 which is the intersection of axis 68 with a vertical plane 337 drawn through the feet of the neophyte golfer as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. When the golfer addresses the ball, as shown in FIGURE 1, the distance between points and 335 will be a predetermined value. As the golfer starts the backswing, club and shaft 2% will be rotated together with roller 3L5 cooperating with slot 315 for coutr-ollably varyirig the distance between club holder 320 and housing 6. At a point in the backswing, designated at in FIGURE 1, roller 316 will begin substantial upward movement along cam slot thereby advancing club holder 32% toward the individual creating a trace 12b substantially identica with that produced by swing guide mechanism 2.9.

While the backswing is beginning, roller 332 is moved through cam slot 33% as shown in EEGURE l4 and engages diverting cam 33s at a point shown as 339 in FIGURE 2. The engagement of roller 53. with diverting earn 336 constrains point 238 to a predetermined path during the backswing. When the top of the backswing is reached, designated as point 341 in FIGURE 2, roller 332 passes over connection and moves along the inner trace of cam slot rapidly moving bracket plate 322 and club holder toward the axis of shaft 2% thereby shortening the distance between the locus of point 2&8 and axis 68. The shortening of this distance produces the closed loop shown in FIGURE 2 thereby more accurately simulating the characteristics of a good golf swing.

Swing guide mechanism of FIG URES 16:0 22

Referring now to FIGURES 16 and 17, another form of swing guide mechanism is shown generally at 3% including a cylindrica housing secured to mounting plate as of support 16 by a substantially U-shaped spring and suitable fasteners and connected to housing by an adaptor 3 28 affixed to housing 342 and a plurality of fasteners connecting spring to adaptor 348. A shaft 352. is journaled by a pair of bearings 354 inside housing 342 for rotational movement in response to the swing of golf club 24.

Mounted on the front end of housing is a cam means shown generally at 356 having a follow-through cam segment 35% fixedly secured thereto by a plurality of fasteners 35? and an adjustably mounted cam segment 36G fronting a downswing cam track 362 as shown best in FIGURE 20. Cam segment 36% forms a pair of slots 36 tcommunicating with one edge, with a pair of releasable fasteners shown generally at 356 adjustably securing cam segment 36% to cam plate 356. Cam plate 356 also includes a backswing cam segment 368 pivotally mounted on cam segment are by a first link 37% and pin 37?; and a second link 3741 forming an elongate slot 376 slidably receiving a pin 378 integral with cam segment 363. A tension spring 330 biases cam segment toward cam segment 36ft such that earn plate 356 operates in much the same manner as cam slot 33% of swing guide mechanism 2'78.

Swing guide mechanism 340 includes a motion transmitting means shown generally at 382 connecting a golf club holder shown generally at 3851 to shaft 352 and cam means 356 for moving golf club 24 arcuately about the axis of shaft 352 and also providing for radial movement thereof in response to cam means 356. Motion transmitting means 382 includes a plate 334 afiixed to the end of shaft 352 by a hub 335, a pair of side walls 336, 383 extending forwardly of'plate 38 i, and an overhanging ledge 3&0, 392 forming a track for the reception of guide wheels as will be more fully explained hereinafter. A bottom wall 39% connects side walls 386 and 33% together and forms an opening 396 slid-ably receiving a pair of parallel rods 3% ailixed at one end to a block 4% carrying a roller 402 thereon in engagement with the camrning surfaces of cam means 356.

Rods 398 are fixedly secured to a cart shown generally at 4 04 comprised of a block or bracket ass mounted for movement between side walls 386, 388 by a plurality of rotatable wheels A spring 3% surrounds each of rods 398 biasing cart 404 away from bottom wall 394 thereby forcing roller 462 into engagement with cam means 356. Wheels 408 move between ledge 390 and plate 384 in response to the action of roller sea on the camming surfaces of cam means 356. Since club holder 383 is :mounted on the upper end of cart and by a hinge shown generally at 41% comprised of a hinge plate 412 afiixed to the upper end of cart 404 and a conventional pivotal connection 414, it will be apparent that holder 333 moves in response to cam means 356 and roller 4&2.

Club holder 383 includes a plate 416 pivotally secured to connection 414 and fixedly carrying a block 418 thereon having a pair of aligned aperatures 42% extending therethrough as shown in FIGURES 16 and 1'8. A pair of rods 422 are sliably mounted in apertures 429 and are interconnected by a bar 424. An adjusting mechanism shown generally at 426 includes a threaded shank 428 journaled through bar 424 by a sleeve 43th and includes a knurled knob 432 for threadably engaging shank 422 in a threaded opening 434 in block 418. It will be apparent that the rotation of knob .32 will act to adjust the space between plate 424- and block 418 for adjusting the angle of golf club 24 operating in a similar manner to the adjusting mechanism of FIGURE 7.

It will be readily apparent that club holder may pivot about the axis of hinge 416. To provide a control for this pivotal movement, a pair of stops shown generally at 436, 438 are formed on the upper and outer surfaces of cart 494 as shown best in FIGURE 16. Each of stops 2-36, 438 includes an enlarged head 446, an adapted to engage block 418 when club holder 383 is pivoted upwardly or downwardly an extent greater than deemed desirable.

Another important feature of swing guide mechanism 340 resides in the provision of an overswing reminder mechanism shown generally at 520 comprised of a lever 522 pivotally mounted by a pin 524 to the back of cam means 356 as shown best in FIGURE 20. Lever 522 carries an enlarged head 526 extending toward the golfers position over the edge of cam means 356 and cam plate 360. A spring 528 biases lever 522 in a clockwise direction against the upper edge of plate 355. In the event that the player takes too great a backswing, roller 402 engages head 526 and pivots it in a counterclockwise direction against the face of spring 528. Thus mechanism 526 acts to remind the student that the backswing describes too great an arc.

Referring now to FIGURES 16 and 19, a hub 444 and a dielectric disk 446 are mounted for rotation with shaft 352 by an enlargement 448 on the end of stationary bearing 354 and a removable nut 450 received on the threaded end 452 of shaft 352. A braking mechanism shown generally at 454 cooperates between stationary housing 342 and rotating hub 444 compelling the student golfer to exert increased forces during the power segment of the stroke.

Braking mechanism 454 includes a support 456 secured to housing 342 and extending rearwardly thereof to juxtapose hub 444-. A threaded sleeve 458 is mounted on support 456 and receives a threaded screw 46ft at the outer end thereof and a ball 462 at the inner end. A. spring (not shown) is preferably disposed inside sleeve 453 between screw 46d and ball 462 for biasing ball 462 into contact with a restraining strip 464 as more fully explained hereinafter. Ball 462 is retained in sleeve 458 by making the adjacent end of sleeve 453 of slightly less diameter than the remaining internal diameter of sleeve 458. Mounted on hub 444 in alignment with braking mechanism 454 is a concave-convex metal strip 464. As shown in FIGURES 16 and 19, ball 452 contacts the apex of strip 464 when golf club 24 is at the lowermost portion of the swing. When the golfer starts the backswing, hub 444 will rotate in the direction shown by the arrow in FIGURE 19 such that ball 462 moves off strip 464. As the downswing cornmences, hub 444 rotates in a direction opposite to that shown by the arrow in FIGURE 19 with ball 462 engaging strip 4-64 near the bottom of the downswing. As ball 4652 engages strip 464, the spring inside sleeve 458 is compressed thereby increasing the forces required to rotate hub 44d and shaft 352. Accordingly, the student must exert additional forces to overcome this retardation of shaft 352.

Referring now to FIGURES 16, 2.1 and 22, an electrical circuit is shown generally at 466 comprised of a first branch shown generally at 45.8 arranged to activate a bell 473 three times during the stroke. The golfer is instructed to pace his swing so that the three rings are sub-- stantially equally spaced apart. Circuit 4-66 also includes a second branch shown generally at 472 operatively connected to platform 14 of FIGURES 1 and 3 for sounding a buzzer 474- thoreby indicating that the individuals weight is on the wrong foot. Circuit 466 is energized by a transformer shown generally at 476 to proviue electrical energy to hell 47d and buzzer 47% upon the completion of an electrical path of first branch 468 or second branch 472, although it is to be understood that suitable batteries or other conventional electrical power may be used.

Dielectric disk 44s carries a pair of circumferentially spaced electrical contacts 478, 480 each of which is connected by a lead wire 482, 484 leading to a grounded electrical connection 486 through hub 444-. A brush contact 183 is positioned on housing 342; by a bracket 4% (FIGURE 16) for engaging contacts 478, 4% upon the rotation of disk 446 which is, of course, controlled by the movement of golf club 24 by a student. Brush contact 438 is connected by an electrical wire 492 to bell 47-9 which is in turn connected by a wire 4% to transformer 476.

The schematic showing of FIGURE 2 illustrates the configuration of electrical circuit 466 when the student is in the ball-addressing position. During the backswing, disk 44s will rotate in a counterclockwise direction such that contact 478 first engages brush contact 4855 thereby actuating bell 476 As the backswing increases, contact 478 will disengage brush 488 followed by contact 489 engaging brush 488 thereby ringing bell 470 for the second time. During the downswing and follow-through, disk 44s will be rotating in a clockwise direction such that contacts 478, 48% come into juxtaposition during the follow-through thereby actuating bell 470 for a third time. The golf instructor counsels the student to attempt to swing the golf club a substantially even rate such that the three soundings of hell 470 are substantially equally spaced thereby producing a smooth evenly controlled swing.

Second branch 472 of circuit .66 includes a buzzer 474 interconnected between a brush contact 510 and limit switch 36, 38 by conventional wires 512, 514. An arcuate contact 516 is aflixed to disk 446 adjacent the periphery thereof for engagement with brush contact 510 to complete the electrical path of branch 472 when either of t i switches 38, 3% are closed. A Wire 5155 connects contact 516 to ground ass to provide for the completed path.

During the backswing hub 446 rotates counterclockwise to engage contacts 51%, '16. In the event that the player has failed to shift his weight from the left leg, contacts 36, 3% on platform 16 will be closed thereby completing first branch 4'72 and sounding buzzer 474. The player is therefore informed of the failure to shift his weight on the backswing. During the downswing, the player should shift the weight to the left leg so that contacts 36, 38 engage to sound buzzer 474- for a short time. Accordingly, by the sound of the buzzer on the downswing, the player is advised of correct weight shifting.

Transformer 476 includes a pair of alternating current carrying line 4% interconnected by a conventional coil 4% juxtaposed to an iron core Still. A second wire 502 carries a coil 5% adjacent core Silt). One end of wire 532 is grounded as at 5% with the other end being connected to lead wire 949 as at see. it will be readily apparent that alternating current delivered through wires 4% will be stepped down in voltage by the action of coils 493, 5% and core Silt). It will similarly be seen that the juxtaposition of brush contact 488 with either of movable contacts 478, 43% will complete an electrical circuit thereby energizing bell 479.

It is now seen that there is herein provided an improved golfers training device which accomplishes all of the objects of the instant invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of the instant inventive concept, and since many modifications may be made of the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that the foregoing is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A training device for teaching the correct swing of a golf club, including a full backswing, comprising:

an upstanding support;

a golf club swing guide mechanism;

means resiliently mounting the swing guide mechanism on the support for accommodating minor variations in the individuals swing; and

a golf club holder including means for grasping a golf club shaft;

the swing guide mechanism including means mounting the shaft grasping means for arcuate movement about and at a varying distance from a substantially horizontal axis, the distance increasing at a given rate during rearward backswing movement of the grasping means and decreasing at a greater rate during forward downswing movement of the grasping means so that a loop at the top of the golfers backswing may be formed.

2. The golfers training device of claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes:

a shaft journaled for rotation in the guide mechanism;

a rigid bracket mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, the shaft grasping means being mounted for movement with the bracket;

means mounting the bracket for movement substahtially radially of the shaft; and

means for moving the bracket away from the shaft during the backswing of the shaft grasping means and toward the shaft during the downswing for creating the loop at the top of the golfers backswing.

3. The golfers training device of claim 1 further including means, on the swing guide mechanism, for contacting the mounting means at the top of the backswing and resisting further backswing movement of the shaft grasping means.

i. The golfers training device of claim ll wherein the swing guide mechanism includes a housing including a slot defining a portion of an ellipse lying in a plane intersecting the axis, the mounting means includes a shaft journaled on the guide mechanism for rotation about its longitudinal axis, the mounting means includes:

an arm, mounted on the shaft for to and fro movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft and for rotational movement with the shaft, the shaft grasping means being mounted for movement with the arm; and a roller, mounted on the arm, in engagement with the slot for moving the arm to and fro parallel to the axis. 5. A training device for teaching the correct swing of a golf club, including a full backswing, comprising:

an upstanding support; a swing guide mechanism mounted on the support; and a golf club holder including means for grasping a golf club shaft; the swing guide mechanism including means mounting the shaft grasping means for arcuate movement about a substantially horizontal axis comprising a shaft journaled for rotation in the guide mechanism; and a bracket radially movable on the shaft and rotatable therewith, the shaft grasping means being mounted for both radial and rotatable movement with the bracket; and means for moving the shaft grasping means away from the axis at a given rate during the rearward backswing and toward the axis at a greater rate during the for-ward downswing for creating a loop at the top of the golfers backswing, the moving means comprising a stationary cam track defining the downswing path, a movable cam track defining the backswing path; and a cam follower carried by the bracket for engaging the movable cam track during the backswing and engaging the stationary cam track during the downswing. d. The golfers training device of claim 5 wherein: the stationary cam track comprises a plate, surrounding the shaft, including an arcuate cam slot lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the shaft, the cam slot forming a bulbous enlargement corresponding to the top of the backswing; the movable cam track comprises a cam diverter, pivotally mounted on the plate in the enlargement below the upper end thereof, normally biased toward the shaft; and the cam follower being positioned for engagement with the cam slot for movement between the outer trace of the cam slot and the diverter during the backswing and between the inner trace of the cam slot and the cam diverter during the downswing. '7. The golfers training device of claim 5 wherein: the stationary cam track comprises a generally circular cam plate forming a downswing cam track and a follow-through cam track; the movable cam track comprises a backswing cam segment providing a backswing cam track and rnovably mounted on the swing guide mechanism adjacent the downswing cam track for movement from a first position in which the cam segment is juxtaposed to the cam plate to a second position in which the cam segment is spaced from the cam plate; the movable cam track further comprising means biasing the cam segment toward the cam plate; and the cam follower being positioned for engagement with the cam plate for movement along the cam segment during the backswing, between the cam plate and cam segment during the downswing and along the cam plate during the follow-through. 8. The golfers training device of claim 7 further including means, on the swing guide mechanism, for con- 13 tact'ing the cam follower at the top of the backswing and resisting further backswing movement of the shaft.

9. The golfers training device of claim 7 wherein the cam plate includes a stationary plate, a downswing cam segment forming the downswing cam track and means mounting the downswing cam segment on the stationary plate for adjustable movement toward and away from the shaft, the baokswing cam segment being mounted on the downswing cam segment.

10. The golfers training device of claim 9 including means biasing the cam follower into engagement with the cam surfaces.

1 4 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,472,065 '6/ 1949 Cottingham 273-19l 2,737,432 3/1956 Jenks 273 191 X 3,352,559 11/1967 Larsen 273-l87 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

C. J. MARLO, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

1. A TRAINING DEVICE FOR TEACHING THE CORRECT SWING OF A GOLF CLUB, INCLUDING A FULL BACKSWING, COMPRISING: AN UPSTANDING SUPPORT; A GOLF CLUB SWING GUIDE MECHANISM; MEANS RESILIENTLY MOUNTING THE SWING GUIDE MECHANISM ON THE SUPPORT FOR ACCOMMODATING MINOR VARIATIONS IN THE INDIVIDUAL''S SWING; AND A GOLF CLUB HOLDER INCLUDING MEANS FOR GRASPING A GOLF CLUB SHAFT; THE SWING GUIDE MECHANISM INCLUDING MEANS MOUNTING THE SHAFT GRASPING MEANS FOR ARCUATE MOVEMENT ABOUT AND AT A VARYING DISTANCE FROM A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS, THE DISTANCE INCREASING AT A GIVEN RATE DURING REARWARD BACKSWING MOVEMENT OF THE GRASPING MEANS AND DECREASING AT A GREATER RATE DURING FORWARD DOWNSWING MOVEMENT OF THE GRASPING MEANS SO THAT A LOOP AT THE TOP OF THE GOLFER''S BACKSWING MAY BE FORMED. 